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The Bitter Taste of Dying: A Memoir by [Jason Smith, Thought Catalog]

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Jason Smith

The Bitter Taste of Dying: A Memoir Kindle Edition

by Jason Smith (Author), Thought Catalog (Editor) Format: Kindle Edition

4.6 976 ratings

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In his first book, author Jason Smith explores the depravity and desperation required to maintain an opiate addiction so fierce, he finds himself jumping continents to avoid jail time and learns the hard way that some demons cannot be outrun.

While teaching in Europe, he meets a prostitute who secures drugs for him at the dangerous price of helping out the Russian mafia; in China, he gets his Percocet and Xanax fix but terrifies a crowd of children and parents at his job in the process; and in Mexico, Smith thought a Tijuana jail cell would be the perfect place to kick his Fentanyl habit, but soon realizes that the power of addiction is stronger than his desire to escape it.

The Bitter Taste of Dying paints a portrait of the modern day drug addict with clarity and refreshing honesty. With a gritty mixture of self-deprecation and light-hearted confessional, Smith’s memoir deftly describes the journey into the harrowing depths of addiction and demonstrates the experience of finally being released from it.

Praise for THE BITTER TASTE OF DYING

"Jason is a great writer who's clearly done the life-destroying research that I can relate to. This is the voice of a new generation of drug addicts." – Jerry Stahl, NY Times bestselling author of Permanent Midnight and Happy Mutant Baby Pills

"This memoir grabs you by the throat on the first page and doesn't let go until you're done, in one sitting--gasping for breath because you know, finally, what it's like to be a drug addict without having been one yourself. Jason Smith is a gifted writer offering no excuses for the damage he did on his harrowing 16-year journey into prescription drug hell, a huge, hidden problem in America today. Read The Bitter Taste of Dying to understand it." – Jonathan Alter, NY Times bestselling author of The Center Holds

Print length

210 pages
Language

English
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On Kindle Scribe
Publication date

July 6, 2015
File size

2771 KB
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Product details

ASIN ‏ : ‎ B00WKU6FK2
Publisher ‏ : ‎ Thought Catalog Books (July 6, 2015)
Publication date ‏ : ‎ July 6, 2015
Language ‏ : ‎ English
File size ‏ : ‎ 2771 KB
Simultaneous device usage ‏ : ‎ Unlimited
Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Enabled
Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
Sticky notes ‏ : ‎ On Kindle Scribe
Print length ‏ : ‎ 210 pages

Best Sellers Rank: #324,215 in Kindle Store (See Top 100 in Kindle Store)
- #77 in Sociology of Death (Kindle Store)
- #266 in Sociology of Death (Books)
- #934 in Substance Abuse Recovery

Customer Reviews:
4.6 976 ratings

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About the author

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Jason Smith

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Jason Smith is a graduate from the University of California, Davis, whose work has been published extensively in both online and print media. His eclectic style ranges from personal essays to investigative reporting, drawing on his own personal travels and experiences.

Jason’s pieces have been translated into multiple languages and published in multiple countries, demonstrating his ability to connect with readers across cultural lines. Jason has multiple projects currently in production after being acquired for film rights.

Jason is currently living in Sacramento, California.

Customer reviews

4.6 out of 5

976 global ratings

5 star		72%
4 star		20%
3 star		6%
2 star		1%
1 star		1%

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J. Terrell

Beautiful and Powerful Story

Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on July 23, 2015

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Wow. This book really grabs onto you and doesn't let go. I was very excited for this book as I have followed Jason's writings on the prescription drug epidemic (and other short stories on Medium) for some time. First and foremost, Jason is a natural storyteller and I am quite certain that he could write a mundane story about going to the grocery store that would be interesting, thought-provoking, and make you laugh out loud. But this is no mundane story. As someone who has not personally struggled with drug addiction, this was a fascinating read and I felt like I was right there along for the journey...which was honestly terrifying at times. The ride was scary and heart-breaking but also funny and enjoyable, and I couldn't put it down. It is a rare author that can combine all of those things into one book. I have read other autobiographical works regarding addiction that were interesting to read but none felt as heartfelt and authentic as this. I knew Jason when he was that football star and I never would have guessed all that he was going through and continued to go through. Words can't express how glad I am that he is still here to tell his story (or should I say stories). Bottom line, I see more great things to come from Jason and cannot wait for his next book!!

19 people found this helpful

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L. Mapa

Like many have said in their reviews

Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on February 21, 2016

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Like many have said in their reviews, I couldn't put this book down. Having a family member that I care about with a drug addiction, it was enlightening to see just what lengths an addict will go through to get drugs, no matter the collateral damage. It becomes a necessary staple to not be sick with withdrawals, no longer just chasing the high. I sent this book to my family member who is currently serving time in prison for drug offenses. I was happy to hear that it was devoured and served it's purpose. I sent it to give hope that it can be beat. Not only was it read with passion and hope, many of the other inmates wanted to know what was being read and are waiting in line to read it. I want to thank Jason Smith for putting himself out there, if his book helps one person, whether it's my family member or a cell mate, it was worth sending it to the prison. I actually think this should be a book in the prison library as it is surely would resonate with someone that is ready for the hard work

3 people found this helpful

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Joy Kellie Edson

Remarkable story of Addiction and Recovery

Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on May 16, 2021

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Wow. I sped through this memoir in just a couple days. Jason is truly a talented writer and shares his both heartbreaking and redemptive story through drug addiction and recovery. If you or someone you know has struggled with addiction, this book will be so resonant. It reads like a novel, and I found myself continuing to say - wait no way did this really happen?! But it did, and Jason came out on the other side. Highly recommend.

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Carrie Noble

The best book by far on addiction! So honest, thankyou

Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on January 12, 2022

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Only an addict who has gone through hell , could possibly share the real reasons of addiction . I am the mother of an addict : I finally understand. Thank you for this book. It is a beautiful life story that I will always cherish. You have helped me start to heal

Helpful

Karla L

Piercing memoir from a gifted storyteller.

Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on July 6, 2015

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A candid look at the extraordinary lengths an addict will go to to feed the flames of their addiction, and how far they will continue to go long after logic, reason, and everything and everyone they ever loved has left them.

For the addict, this book is a chance to see the similarities.

For the co-addict, this book is a chance to understand the choices, or truly the lack of choice, that addicts have when caught in the throes of their addiction.

For everyone, it is a chance to read a good story well told.

For anyone that has been around addiction in any shape or form, there are so many relatable moments. I love the analogy of 'now me', 'tomorrow me', and 'yesterday me', and the clarity when describing his part in things. I've found myself sharing parts of his book or recommending it to people on an almost daily basis since I finished it. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book, and I can't wait for the next one from Jason!!

12 people found this helpful

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Nancy Caruso

I couldn't put this book down!

Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on October 22, 2015

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I couldn't put this book down. It was amazing and riveting and read almost like a Hollywood script. Jason has an amazing ability to reel you into his craziness, while you are rooting for him the whole time. Besides the fact that he's an great writer, I found the way he wrote the book and the references of going to stories earlier on in his childhood were most poignant and helped you grasp the full magnitude of who he was before he became a drug addict - which is so paramount. I finished the book in under 2 hours while on a flight..and I wanted more when I was done! I look forward to his next book...but I would highly recommend this book to anyone in recovery or not yet in recovery who is a drug addict as you will not feel alone and this book will help you realize the depth of your addiction - again, AMAZING read!

3 people found this helpful

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May Leung

Great Book! Great Product.

Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on July 27, 2018

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Re: Product--the book arrived in great condition and on time. Thumbs up for that.
Regarding to the actual book itself, I actually picked up the book and finished the book in less than 3 hours. It was that good. The Author was very honest regarding facing his "build-up" guilt and the journey of his starting of drug usage journey from an innocent car accident (needing pain medicine for his back) all the way to an addict. --thinking that the drugs was helping him, which he finally realize that it's a fantasy. The Author claimed: "The drug makes him intelligent." I personally think this author is an intelligent individual, it's just he didn't realize it OR he was carrying too much guilt that he didn't see it. Highly recommend this book.

Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on February 17, 2018

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Addiction is in my blood but somehow I dodged the bullet. I have chronic pain from a failed spinal surgery and two bad car accidents, yet taking norco or percocet never made me feel euphoric. I too take Xanax for PTSD and anxiety, same thing all it does is quell my anxiety a little bit. Clearly there’s a genetic predisposition because all the medications, meds described in great detail in the book simply take my level 10 pain down to a 6. The most I’ve ever taken is 3 pills in a day so I find it fascinating that these drugs completely overcame the author. This is an unflinching tale that truly provides a first row seat to what addiction is. Congrats to Jason for getting clean!

7 people found this helpful

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Top reviews from other countries

laura hepburn

A brilliant read!

Reviewed in the United Kingdom 🇬🇧 on July 18, 2019

Verified Purchase

Most of the time, you want to throttle the author! But it's a fascinating insight into a world of drug addiction that I don't understand but I kind of did reading it. It's very well written & you don't want to put it down. Insightful & pretty superb.

kim c

A real page Turner.

Reviewed in the United Kingdom 🇬🇧 on June 11, 2020

Verified Purchase

I loved the honesty of this book, and the honesty of the author. You give a true account of the despair you went through, to come out fighting in the end. Amazing that you have built a life for yourself from nothing. A true inspiration

Luci J

Honest account

Reviewed in the United Kingdom 🇬🇧 on June 9, 2016

Verified Purchase

Extremely honest and well written. A personal account of what started him onto addiction, perpetuated it and what it finally took to quit. A must read for anyone who works with addicts!

One person found this helpful

Rebecca balmer

Fantastic read!

Reviewed in the United Kingdom 🇬🇧 on February 23, 2021

Verified Purchase

Loved reading this book and couldn't put it down, finished it in 1 day! Well done on your recovery! Very interesting read

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